At Chinook we create connections and encourage empathy through:

Intensives - Clubs

Intensives are short term multi-age classes focused on topics outside the usual curriculum. Teachers offer activities based on their passions and student interest. Students apply for the classes most appealing to them. Past intensives have included: photography, skiing, gardening, mask making, kite building, cooking, film making, yoga, and much more.

Marble Maze Mania/Cardboard Arcade

Inspired by the Maker Movement and Caine Monroy of East Los Angeles, students work in multi-age groups to design, build, test and share cardboard arcade games or marble mazes. This STEAM project has culminated in a community night where students run their games to share with family, friends and community members and raise money for local charities.

Winter Crafts

Parent volunteers organize and lead fun craft activities for students to enjoy. This is another fantastic opportunity for students to connect with an extended community of siblings and parents.

Big Trip

Every other spring, Chinook Open Optional Program takes a three day, two night camping trip to Camp Gorsuch near Mirror Lake. Students participate in outdoor education, team building, and get to know their learning community better.

Field Trips

The Anchorage Museum, the Alaska Zoo, the Anchorage Center for the Performing Arts, Campbell Creek Science Center, Eagle River Nature Center, the Museum of Natural History, swimming at Dimond High School, decorating the Fairview Recreation Center, reading to preschoolers at East Anchorage HeadStart, singing at the Anchorage Folk Festival, walking to Campbell Creek beaver dams, berry picking in Arctic Valley, hiking to the beach at Kincaid Park and many more - you name it, we've probably been there! Field trips are an integral part of our year at each grade level and on a program wide basis.

Guest speakers

Guest speakers are a fantastic way to help students connect their studies to the real world. We are fortunate to have been visited by many generous community members who have shared their experiences and wisdom with us.

Garden

Our school garden is a busy area during the last and first weeks of school, and requires volunteer tender, loving care in the summer months. Students look forward to the annual routines of planting and harvesting. We celebrate the harvest annually with a Stone Soup Celebration. Families are invited to join us for the feast!